8 -3x - 1 * (1/16)x = 42x
We can write eveything in terms of base 2....so we have
(2^3)^(-3x - 1) * (1/ 2^4)^x = (2^2)^(2x) simplify
(2) ^(-9x - 3) * ( 2^-4)^x = (2)^(4x)
(2)^(-9x - 3) * (2)^(-4x) = (2)^(4x)
Using the property that a^m * a^n = a^(m + n) we have
(2)^(-9x - 3 - 4x) = 2^(4x) the bases are the same.....olve for the exponents
-9x - 3 - 4x = 4x
-13x - 3 = 4x add 13x to both sides
-3 = 17x divide both sides by 17
x = -3 / 17